User Reviews

Returning home proves to be a more challenging task for the Vikings. Without battles to fight, they must deal with the consequences of their absence even though these unfortunate events were largely beyond their control. For most parts, this episode ventures into gloomy territory as each character is weighted down by their respective predicament. Strangely, Ragnar seems desensitized by the entire ruckus and instead sets his sight on Paris.

There's a decent amount of scenes which are displayed in cloudy or rainy weather. The atmosphere looks nice, as it fits the natural scenery and also the mood of the warriors. Rollo (Clive Standen) doesn't accept the bad news very well, it's s regrettable turn of event since the character has already settled for calmer persona and now must take the emotional roller-coaster again. Hopefully, this results in more mature characterization.

Ragnar doesn't seem to be bothered by the problems, both political and supernatural. Raid to Paris is probably a legitimate obsession or a way to distract him from the brewing issues as he appears to be more comfortable in battlefield. Either way, he's fully committed to this cause. Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig)is a bit different than his father, he is shown to care for his family but a bit modest on showcasing it. Ludwig is pretty good on portraying a rugged fighter but still has innocent on his consciousness.

Lagertha is once again in the rock bottom after losing her earldom, and pretty much everything else. She is probably the one char that has gained and lost so much, but she remains dignified in the predicament. There's one minor concern about Ben Robson as Kalf, he seems to mimic Travis Fimmel's Ragnar, especially his speech pattern. If he is to be another antagonist, it'd better to have a more cunning and novel personality.

This episode is ultimately to set up more diverse subplots. Characters are either more conniving or caring. The human drama and its following repercussion, though they may be murky, are pleasantly enjoyable.

While returning to Kattegat, Ragnar asks Athelstan how Paris is. Floki hates the Christians and Athelstan. When they arrive, Torstein's widows learn that he is dead and Rollo that Siggy died. He blames himself for treating her badly and becomes drunken and self-destructive. Bjorn beats Rollo that is risking to be murdered. Ragnar presses Auslaag to know why she was not with their children. In the end she tells about Harbard while Helga tel what happened to Kloki that believes he is Odin. Lagherta learns that Kalf has self-proclaimed Earl. Judith tells Aethelwulf that she is pregnant and he knows that he can not be the father. King Ecbert summons his son to hear a man from the Nordic settlement that explains that a farm was burnt by Christians and Ecbert asks his son to end with the conflict. What will Aethelwulf do? Meanwhile Ragnar informs that they will attack Paris.

"The Usurper" is another great episode of Vikings full of betrayals and with a huge surprise in the end. The reaction of Ragnar toward Kalf and Lagherta is very deceptive and the viewers would have expected another attitude from him. Another good question is what Aethelwulf will do with Judith and her baby. It is difficult to see him forgiving his wife. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "The Usurper"